Lycée International Français de Taipei (LIFT)
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$12K - US$14K
Curriculum: French
Age Range: 6-14
Students: ~100
Location: Xinyi, Taipei
Updated April 2026
In Brief
If you need a French-curriculum school in Taipei that won't cost what TES charges, LIFT is the only credible option. It's still young and growing - secondary only runs to 4ème so far - so check the year groups before assuming it covers your child's age.
LIFT launched in 2023, founded by Taipei's French-speaking business community as a non-profit alternative to the French section at TES. The school follows the French national curriculum and is an AEFE-partnered institution, which means it operates within the framework of the French Ministry of Education's international network. Annual tuition runs from NT$378,900 in primary to NT$440,100 in lower secondary - roughly half the cost of TES's French section. The fees are set at the lowest sustainable level the school's financial model allows, and the pricing policy is published with full transparency.
Teaching is trilingual: French, English, and Mandarin Chinese, with the French curriculum providing the academic spine. The Liu Gong primary campus in Xinyi uses facilities within a public school, including a heated swimming pool, gymnasium, and sports fields. Secondary runs from the Yong Chun campus on Songshan Road. Class sizes are capped at 20, which keeps the teaching environment personal. Families mention the warm community, the accessibility of school leadership, and the school's commitment to staying genuinely affordable.
LIFT is still a young school and is expanding year by year - for 2025-26, it runs CP through 4ème (roughly Grades 1-8). If your child is in 3ème or above, the school is not yet an option; check the current year group offering before applying. The school does not yet have the track record that TES or the established schools carry, and parents choosing LIFT are in some respects backing a project as much as a proven institution. That said, the governance is transparent and the AEFE partnership lends genuine credibility.
What parents value
- –Only French-curriculum school in Taipei outside of TES, at roughly half the cost. AEFE-partnered and following the full French national curriculum.
- –Trilingual teaching (French, English, Mandarin) from primary level. Liu Gong campus includes a heated indoor pool, gym, and sports fields.
- –Non-profit, parent-governed model with full financial transparency. Annual fee increases are voted by a board where parents are represented.
Points of consideration
- –Still expanding - currently runs CP to 4ème only (ages 6-14 approximately). Families with children in 3ème or above cannot yet enrol; check the current offering before applying.
- –The school is young (founded 2023) and building its track record. It lacks the long history of TES or other established Taipei schools.
- –Primary campus shares a building with a Taiwanese public school, which means the environment is more integrated with local infrastructure than a purpose-built international campus. This works well for many families but is worth visiting before deciding.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| CP (Grade 1) | 6 | NaN |
| CE1 (Grade 2) | 7 | NaN |
| CE2 (Grade 3) | 8 | NaN |
| CM1 (Grade 4) | 9 | NaN |
| CM2 (Grade 5) | 10 | NaN |
| 6ème (Grade 6) | 11 | NaN |
| 5ème (Grade 7) | 12 | NaN |
| 4ème (Grade 8) | 13 | NaN |
Fees converted from TWD. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee (one-time, new students) | NaN |
Academic Results
LIFT follows the French national curriculum, delivered under AEFE partnership standards. Teaching is trilingual: French as the primary language of instruction, English, and Mandarin Chinese. The school is working toward full AEFE accreditation.
At primary level, pupils are assessed in line with French national standards. Secondary pupils work toward the diplôme national du brevet (DNB) as the school expands to offer higher year groups. Ask the school for current exam offering and university pathway plans.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: Heated indoor swimming pool (Liu Gong campus) · Gymnasium · Sports fields · Dedicated classrooms
The Liu Gong primary campus has access to a heated indoor pool, gymnasium, basketball courts, and football pitch - facilities well above what most international schools this size can offer. The Yong Chun secondary campus on Songshan Road provides the secondary programme.
Extra-curricular activities are available at additional cost. The school runs a parents association (ALIP) that is actively involved in school life and governance.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- AEFE-partnered institution (Agence pour l'Enseignement Français à l'Étranger)
- Certified to EFE3D Level 1 standard
Accreditations
- AEFE Partner
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
LIFT serves Taipei's French-speaking and francophile communities, including French nationals, bilingual Taiwanese-French families, and internationally mobile families who want French-language continuity. The school is small by design - class sizes are capped at 20.
The school is non-selective in approach and explicitly rejects elitism in its pricing and admissions philosophy. It welcomes Taiwanese citizens who meet the language requirements alongside international families.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school via [email protected] for current leadership details.